For Patients: When You Leave

When You Leave

Before you leave the Hospital, our staff will give you full instructions about dressings, medications and follow-up appointments. If you have any questions about these, please do not hesitate to ask the nurse looking after you.

Planning for your discharge:

We recommend that before admission you consider how you will manage at home after discharge. Discuss expectations of your recovery with your doctor. You can be assessed as to whether rehabilitation at another hospital is appropriate. You should plan and think about the following: whether you will you require someone to stay with you after being discharged? How will you prepare food, attend to personal hygiene, do the housekeeping and shopping? Will you need any special aids?

Some services such as community nursing are provided free of charge, however others such as Homecare and Meals on wheels require a contribution. Please contact the Discharge Planner, on (02) 4255 5155 to discuss your needs prior to discharge. The Discharge Planner is available each Thursday from 8.30 am until 5.00 pm and is able to assist you with services and equipment and to ensure that you receive the support you need for a complete recovery.

Discharge Information:

Discharge time is at 9.30 am. This is to ensure bed spaces are available for patients being admitted. It is recommended that you arrange for a relative or friend to assist you in getting home, or alternatively a taxi will be called for you by Reception staff. The Ambulatory Care Lounge, located at the end of Keira (Surgical) ward is available for patients waiting to be collected.

Day Surgery patients are reminded that you will be unable to drive home; so please make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home. For the first 24 hours, it is important if you have been given any form of sedation, that you DO NOT: drive, drink alcohol or remain on your own – you must have a responsible adult to stay with you overnight.